Dr Richard Baines

Dr Richard Baines FROI

Dr. Baines studied painting at the Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art under Norman Blamey, RA and Clifford Hall, ROI and engraving at Goldsmiths College under Paul Drury, RA. He made further researches into design history at the University of Central England in Birmingham and at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

He spent 34 years lecturing at the London College of Fashion and was Senior Lecturer in Design History and Academic Leader for Complementary Studies in the School of Fashion Promotion. He has a doctorate in Design History and has lectured at the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Wallace Collection and the Museum of London.

Dr. Baines has written a number of monographs on famous artists and reviewed books on many aspects of art and design. As a consultant of historical costume for Film he has appeared on the broadcasts for the BBC, ITV, the World Service and Japanese television. In his struggling student life he worked as a waiter, postman, fed animals at London Zoo and for a time spoke at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.

He is past President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and also one of only seven Fellows of that Society. During his time at the ROI he was awarded the Dartington Crystal Chalice in recognition of outstanding service and contribution, the Le Clerc Fowle gold medal for an outstanding group of paintings, and the Stanley Grimm Prize for a painting receiving the most votes from visitors to the exhibition.

Currently he is President of the East Sussex Arts Club (founded 1890) and also President of the Rye Tuesday Painters, both clubs support and encourage amateur artists.

Since retiring he has become increasingly involved with Fairlight Church, taking services and preaching. He is devoted to our two Jack Russell/Border Terriers, both who cause considerable disturbance. He spends time painting the stunning scenery around Fairlight and is currently producing a series of pictures of allotments, sunrises and snowscapes. In addition he has painted a number of works concerned with the recent burning and rebuilding of Hastings Pier, some of which are shown in the Gallery. His Genesis Triptych, also in the Gallery, is hanging in St. Andrews Church, Fairlight.